Established by the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) of the United Nations (UN) in 1958 as one of the UN's five regional commissions, ECA's mandate is to promote the economic and social development of its member States, foster intra-regional integration, and promote international cooperation for Africa's development. Made up of 54 member States, and playing a dual role as a regional arm of the UN and as a key component of the African institutional landscape, ECA is well positioned to make unique contributions to address the Continent's development challenges. The strategic objective of ECA is framed around delivering ideas and actions for an empowered, inclusive and transformed Africa in the framework of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and Agenda 2063 of the African Union through its three core functions, namely, its function as a think tank, its convening function and its operational function.

This position is located in the Publications, Conference & Knowledge Management Division (PCKMD) at the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA). The incumbent works under the direct supervision of the Deputy Executive Secretary. This position oversees three interrelated sections within the division: (a) publications and conference management, (b) knowledge management services and (c) information and technology services sections.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Director of the Publications, Conference & Knowledge Management Division will be responsible for the following duties:

- Leads, supervises and carries out the work programme of the Sections under his/her responsibility. Co-ordinates the work carried out by different work units under the Division and provides programmatic/substantive reviews of the work and reports drafts prepared by others;

- Leads and co-ordinates formulation and implementation of an integrated and updated strategy of knowledge management, information technology (IT), and publications and conferences services to effectively support programme activities;

- Collaborates with substantive divisions for better support services with internal and external stakeholders;

- Formulates and implements the substantive work programme of the Sections under his/her supervision. Oversees the management of activities undertaken by the Division, ensures that programmed activities are carried out in a timely fashion and co-ordinates work in the different areas within the Division, and with other divisions of ECA, as appropriate;

- Undertakes and oversees the programmatic/administrative tasks necessary for the functioning of the Division, including preparation of budgets, reporting on budget/programme performance, evaluation of staff performance (e-PAS), interviews of candidates for job openings, evaluation of candidates and preparation of inputs for results-based budgeting;

- Serves as focal point for innovation management using existing/new platforms, as necessary, to support designing and scaling of innovations internally and among member states;

- Provides strategic direction for functioning of the corporate UN Enterprise Resource Planning (Umoja) and implementation of new modules; coordinates implementation of IT policies and ensures optimal use of IT services in Addis and other locations to support innovation and programme delivery;

- Serves as focal point for knowledge management, information sharing and networking among internal and external stakeholders (member states, other agencies and bodies of the United Nations system, NGOs, etc.), specifically on digital technologies, various technological platforms and other knowledge and learning sharing systems;

- Ensures all ECA telecommunication systems, including the United Nations satellite telecommunication network are well-maintained, ensuring continuous and un-interrupted business continuity of ECA and its clients;

- Participates in international, regional or national meetings and provides programmatic/substantive expertise on issues of information management systems, technology as a leverage of innovation and knowledge management, or holds programmatic/substantive and organizational discussions with representatives of other institutions;

- Represents the Division at international, regional or national meetings;

- Liaises with of the United Nations System and other external stakeholders as appropriate, to share knowledge and continuous learning in of support innovation and enhanced partnership;

- Co-ordinates and oversees the preparation of reports for presentation to intergovernmental bodies such as the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budget Questions, Committee for Programme Coordination, Economic and Social Council, the General Assembly and other policy-making organs, as appropriate;

- Reports to intergovernmental bodies on budget/programme performance or on programmatic/substantive issues, as appropriate, particularly those presented in biannual and/or annual reports;

- Ensures that the outputs produced by the Division maintain high-quality standards; that reports are clear, objective and based on comprehensive data. Ensures that all outputs produced by the Sections under his/her supervision meet required standards before completion to ensure they comply with the relevant mandates;

- Assists in preparing the work programme of the Division, determining priorities, and allocating resources for the completion of outputs and their timely delivery;

- Fosters teamwork and communication among staff in the Division and across organizational boundaries;

- Leads and supervises the organization of meetings, seminars, etc. on substantive issues. Manages the substantive preparation and organization of such meetings or seminars;

Results expected: Produces high-quality outputs on key issues. Effectively and efficiently manages available human and financial resources to ensure the timely delivery of programmed outputs. Provides solid substantive support in the servicing of various committees and intergovernmental bodies; reports for these bodies are clear and focused on the issue at hand and the meetings or seminars are well-organized meetings or seminars and address the topics covered in a comprehensive manner. Effectively develops staff under his/her supervision, including their on-going learning and development. Effectively assists, guides and supports programme managers in meeting their objectives and outputs.

Competencies

Professionalism: Knowledge of the substantive field of work in general and of the specific areas being supervised; ability to produce reports and papers on technical issues and to review and edit the work of others; ability to manage teams with in-depth understanding of overall strategic direction; ability to provide expert advice on substantive/difficult issues and defend/explain key decisions to staff, senior officials and members of the intergovernmental bodies. Ability to apply UN rules, regulations, policies and guidelines in work situations. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.

Client Orientation: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view; establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions; monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems; keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects; meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.

Creativity: Actively seeks to improve programmes or services; offers new and different options to solve problems or meet client needs; promotes and persuades others to consider new ideas; takes calculated risks on new and unusual ideas; thinks “outside the box”; takes an interest in new ideas and new ways of doing things; is not bound by current thinking or traditional approaches.

Managerial Competencies

Leadership: Serves as a role model that other people want to follow: empowers others to translate vision into results; is proactive in developing strategies to accomplish objectives; establishes and maintains relationships with a broad range of people to understand needs and gain support; anticipates and resolves conflicts by pursuing mutually agreeable solutions; drives for change and improvements; does not accept the status quo; shows the courage to take unpopular stands. Provides leadership and takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work; demonstrates knowledge of strategies and commitment to the goal of gender balance in staffing.

Managing Performance: Delegates the appropriate responsibility, accountability and decision-making authority; Makes sure that roles, responsibilities and reporting lines are clear to each staff member; Accurately judges the amount of time and resources needed to accomplish a task and matches task to skills; Monitors progress against milestones and deadlines; Regularly discusses performance and provides feedback and coaching to staff; Encourages risk-taking and supports creativity and initiative; Actively supports the development and career aspirations of staff; Appraises performance fairly.

Education

An advanced university degree (Master’s or Doctorate) in information management systems, social sciences or related field is required. A Doctorate is an advantage. A first-level degree (Bachelor’s or equivalent) in the specified fields with two additional years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience

A minimum of fifteen years of progressively responsible experience in management of information systems or related fields. Experience conceptualizing, analyzing and delivering multidimensional projects in information systems and knowledge management, and familiarity with cutting-edge technology for public affairs use are required. Extensive experience internationally and in development issues in Africa is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English or French is required and knowledge of the other is desirable. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is desirable.

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include assessment exercises which may be followed by competency-based interview.

Special Notice

Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and to assignment by him or her. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures.

The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.

An impeccable record for integrity and professional ethical standards is essential.

According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation or sexual abuse, or crimes other than minor traffic offences, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions.

Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.

Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side of the inspira account-holder homepage.

The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application.

Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.